The Origin of Kartikeya

Verse 1 (skanda.6.70.1)

सूत उवाच॥ तथान्यापि च तत्रास्ति शक्तिः पापप्रणाशिनी॥ कार्तिकेयेन निर्मुक्ता हत्वा वै तारकं रणे

sūta uvāca tathānyāpi ca tatrāsti śaktiḥ pāpapraṇāśinī kārtikeyena nirmuktā hatvā vai tārakaṁ raṇe

Suta said: There too is another sacred weapon, the Shakti, destroyer of sin, released there by Kartikeya after he slew Taraka in battle.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.70.2)

तथास्ति सुमहत्कुण्डं स्वच्छोदकसमावृतम्॥ तेनैव निर्मितं तत्र यः स्नात्वा तां प्रपूजयेत्॥ स पापान्मुच्यते सद्य आजन्ममरणांति कात्

tathāsti sumahatkuṇḍaṁ svacchodakasamāvṛtam tenaiva nirmitaṁ tatra yaḥ snātvā tāṁ prapūjayet sa pāpānmucyate sadya ājanmamaraṇāṁti kāt

And there is a great pool there, filled with clear water, made by him himself; whoever bathes there and worships that Shakti is instantly freed from every sin, from birth all the way to the end of death.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.70.3)

ऋषय ऊचुः॥ कस्मिन्काले विनिर्मुक्ता सा शक्तिस्तेन नो वद॥ किमर्थं स्वामिना तत्र किंप्रभावा वद स्वयम्

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ kasminkāle vinirmuktā sā śaktistena no vada kimarthaṁ svāminā tatra kiṁprabhāvā vada svayam

The sages said: At what time was that Shakti released by him? Tell us this. For what purpose did its lord place it there, and what is its power? Tell us yourself.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.70.4)

सूत उवाच॥ पुरासीत्तारकोनाम दानवोऽतिबलान्वितः॥ हिरण्याक्षस्य दायादस्त्रैलोक्यस्य भयावहः

sūta uvāca purāsīttārakonāma dānavo'tibalānvitaḥ hiraṇyākṣasya dāyādastrailokyasya bhayāvahaḥ

Suta said: Long ago there was a demon named Taraka, endowed with immense strength, the heir of Hiranyaksha, and a terror to all three worlds.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.70.5)

स ज्ञात्वा जनकं ध्वस्तं विष्णुना प्रभविष्णुना॥ तपस्तेपे ततस्तीव्रं गोकर्णं प्राप्य पर्वतम्

sa jñātvā janakaṁ dhvastaṁ viṣṇunā prabhaviṣṇunā tapastepe tatastīvraṁ gokarṇaṁ prāpya parvatam

Knowing that his father had been destroyed by the mighty Vishnu, he then performed severe austerities, having gone to the mountain of Gokarna.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.70.6)

यावद्वर्षसहस्रांतं शीर्णपर्णा शनः स्थितः॥ ध्यायमानो महादेवं कायेन मनसा गिरा

yāvadvarṣasahasrāṁtaṁ śīrṇaparṇā śanaḥ sthitaḥ dhyāyamāno mahādevaṁ kāyena manasā girā

For a full thousand years he remained there, subsisting on withered leaves, meditating upon Mahadeva with body, mind, and speech.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.70.7)

वरुपूजोपहारैश्च नैवेद्यैर्विविधैस्ततः॥ ततो वर्षसहस्रांते स दैत्यो दुःखसंयुतः

varupūjopahāraiśca naivedyairvividhaistataḥ tato varṣasahasrāṁte sa daityo duḥkhasaṁyutaḥ

With the finest offerings of worship, gifts, and various food-offerings; then, at the end of that thousand years, that demon, filled with sorrow —

Verse 8 (skanda.6.70.8)

ज्ञात्वा रुद्रमसंतुष्टं ततो रौद्रं तपोऽकरोत्॥ विनिष्कृत्त्यात्ममांसानि जुहोतिस्म हुताशने

jñātvā rudramasaṁtuṣṭaṁ tato raudraṁ tapo'karot viniṣkṛttyātmamāṁsāni juhotisma hutāśane

— knowing Rudra to still be unsatisfied, he then performed a still more terrible austerity, cutting away pieces of his own flesh and offering them into the sacred fire.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.70.9)

ततस्तुष्टो महादेवो वृषारूढ उमापतिः॥ सर्वैरेव गणैः सार्धं तस्य संदर्शनं ययौ

tatastuṣṭo mahādevo vṛṣārūḍha umāpatiḥ sarvaireva gaṇaiḥ sārdhaṁ tasya saṁdarśanaṁ yayau

Then Mahadeva, pleased, the lord of Uma, mounted upon his bull, came together with all his attendant hosts to appear before him.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.70.10)

तत्र प्रोवाच संहृष्टस्तारनादेन नादयन्॥ दिशः सर्वा महादेवो हर्ष गद्गदया गिरा

tatra provāca saṁhṛṣṭastāranādena nādayan diśaḥ sarvā mahādevo harṣa gadgadayā girā

There, greatly delighted, Mahadeva spoke, filling every direction with a thunderous cry, his voice choked with joy.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.70.11)

भोभोस्तारक तुष्टोऽस्मि साहसं मेदृशं कुरु॥ प्रार्थयस्व मनोऽभीष्टं येन ते प्रददाम्यहम्

bhobhostāraka tuṣṭo'smi sāhasaṁ medṛśaṁ kuru prārthayasva mano'bhīṣṭaṁ yena te pradadāmyaham

'O Taraka, I am pleased; do not perform such reckless austerity any further for my sake. Ask now for whatever your heart desires, so that I may grant it to you.'

Verse 12 (skanda.6.70.12)

तारक उवाच॥ अजेयः सर्वदेवानां त्वत्प्रसादादहं विभो॥ यथा भवामि संग्रामे त्वां विहाय तथा कुरु

tāraka uvāca ajeyaḥ sarvadevānāṁ tvatprasādādahaṁ vibho yathā bhavāmi saṁgrāme tvāṁ vihāya tathā kuru

Taraka said: 'O lord, by your grace, may I become unconquerable in battle by all the gods, save you alone; grant me this.'

Verse 13 (skanda.6.70.13)

भगवानुवाच॥ मत्प्रसादादसंदिग्धं सर्वमेतद्भविष्यति॥ त्वया यत्प्रार्थितं दैत्य त्वमेको बलवानिह

bhagavānuvāca matprasādādasaṁdigdhaṁ sarvametadbhaviṣyati tvayā yatprārthitaṁ daitya tvameko balavāniha

The blessed lord said: 'By my grace, O demon, all that you have asked for shall come to pass, without any doubt; you alone shall be powerful here.'

Verse 14 (skanda.6.70.14)

एवमुक्त्वा महादेवः स्वमेव भवनं गतः॥ तारकश्चापि संहृष्टस्तथैवनिज मन्दिरम्

evamuktvā mahādevaḥ svameva bhavanaṁ gataḥ tārakaścāpi saṁhṛṣṭastathaivanija mandiram

Having spoken thus, Mahadeva returned to his own abode; and Taraka too, greatly delighted, returned likewise to his own home.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.70.15)

ततो दानवसैन्येन महता परिवारितः॥ गतः शक्रपुरीं योद्धुं विख्याताममरावतीम्

tato dānavasainyena mahatā parivāritaḥ gataḥ śakrapurīṁ yoddhuṁ vikhyātāmamarāvatīm

Then, surrounded by a vast army of demons, he went to wage war upon Indra's renowned city, Amaravati.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.70.16)

अथाभवन्महायुद्धं देवानां दानवैः सह॥ यावद्वर्षसहस्रांते मृत्युं कृत्वा निवर्तनम्

athābhavanmahāyuddhaṁ devānāṁ dānavaiḥ saha yāvadvarṣasahasrāṁte mṛtyuṁ kṛtvā nivartanam

Then a great war broke out between the gods and the demons, lasting a full thousand years, with death as the only cause for retreat on either side.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.70.17)

तत्राभवत्क्षयो नित्यं देवानां रणमूर्धनि॥ विजयो दानवानां च प्रसादाच्छूलपा णिनः

tatrābhavatkṣayo nityaṁ devānāṁ raṇamūrdhani vijayo dānavānāṁ ca prasādācchūlapā ṇinaḥ

There, on the front lines of battle, the gods suffered constant losses, while victory belonged always to the demons, by the grace of the trident-bearer.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.70.18)

ततश्चक्रुरुपायांस्ते विजयाय दिवौकसः॥ वर्माणि सुविचित्राणि यन्त्राणि परिखास्तथा

tataścakrurupāyāṁste vijayāya divaukasaḥ varmāṇi suvicitrāṇi yantrāṇi parikhāstathā

Then the dwellers of heaven devised strategies for victory: wondrous armors, war-machines, and defensive trenches.

Verse 19 (skanda.6.70.19)

अन्यान्यपि शरीरस्य रक्षणार्थं प्रयत्नतः॥ तथैव योधमुख्यानां विशेषाद्द्विजसत्तमाः

anyānyapi śarīrasya rakṣaṇārthaṁ prayatnataḥ tathaiva yodhamukhyānāṁ viśeṣāddvijasattamāḥ

And other measures too, with great effort, for the protection of the body — and especially, O best of the twice-born, for their chief warriors.

Verse 20 (skanda.6.70.20)

ससृजुस्ते सुराधीशा दानवेभ्यो दिवानिशम्

sasṛjuste surādhīśā dānavebhyo divāniśam

Those lords of the gods labored day and night, forging weapons against the demons.

Verse 21 (skanda.6.70.21)

मुद्गरा भिंडिपालाश्च शतघ्न्योऽथ वरेषवः॥ प्रासाः कुन्ताश्च भल्लाश्च तस्मिन्काले विनिर्मिताः॥ विशेषाहवसंबन्धव्यूहानां प्रक्रियाश्च याः

mudgarā bhiṁḍipālāśca śataghnyo'tha vareṣavaḥ prāsāḥ kuntāśca bhallāśca tasminkāle vinirmitāḥ viśeṣāhavasaṁbandhavyūhānāṁ prakriyāśca yāḥ

At that time maces, javelins, cannon-like weapons, fine arrows, spears, lances, and broad-headed shafts were forged, along with the special tactics for battle formations.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.70.22)

तथान्यानि विचित्राणि कूटयुद्धान्यनेकशः॥ भीषिकाः कुहकाश्चैव शक्रजालानि कृत्स्नशः

tathānyāni vicitrāṇi kūṭayuddhānyanekaśaḥ bhīṣikāḥ kuhakāścaiva śakrajālāni kṛtsnaśaḥ

And likewise other wondrous devices — many kinds of deceptive warfare, terror-tactics, cunning tricks, and every sort of magical illusion.

Verse 23 (skanda.6.70.23)

न च ते विजयं प्रापुस्तथापि द्विजसत्तमाः॥ दानवेभ्यो महायुद्धे प्रहारैर्जर्जरीकृताः

na ca te vijayaṁ prāpustathāpi dvijasattamāḥ dānavebhyo mahāyuddhe prahārairjarjarīkṛtāḥ

Yet, even so, O best of the twice-born, they did not attain victory; they were battered and broken by the demons' blows in that great war.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.70.24)

अथ प्राह सहस्राक्षो भयत्रस्तो बृहस्पतिम्॥ दिनेदिने वयं दैत्यैर्विजयामो द्विजोत्तम

atha prāha sahasrākṣo bhayatrasto bṛhaspatim dinedine vayaṁ daityairvijayāmo dvijottama

Then Indra, the thousand-eyed one, trembling with fear, said to Brihaspati: 'O best of the twice-born, day after day we are being conquered by the demons.'

Verse 25 (skanda.6.70.25)

यथायथा रणार्थाय सदुपायान्करोम्यहम्॥ तथातथा पराभूतिर्जायते मे महाहवे

yathāyathā raṇārthāya sadupāyānkaromyaham tathātathā parābhūtirjāyate me mahāhave

'However many good strategies I devise for the war, my defeat in this great battle only grows all the greater.'

Verse 26 (skanda.6.70.26)

तदुपायं सुराचार्य स्वबुद्ध्या त्वं प्रचिन्तय॥ येन मे स्याज्जयो युद्धे तव कीर्तिरनिन्दिता

tadupāyaṁ surācārya svabuddhyā tvaṁ pracintaya yena me syājjayo yuddhe tava kīrtiraninditā

'Therefore, O preceptor of the gods, devise with your own wisdom some strategy, by which I might win victory in this war, and your fame remain untarnished.'

Verse 27 (skanda.6.70.27)

सूत उवाच॥ ततो बृहस्पतिः प्राह चिरं ध्यात्वा शचीपतिम्॥ प्रहृष्टवदनो ज्ञात्वा जयोपायं महाहवे

sūta uvāca tato bṛhaspatiḥ prāha ciraṁ dhyātvā śacīpatim prahṛṣṭavadano jñātvā jayopāyaṁ mahāhave

Suta said: Then Brihaspati, having pondered for a long while, spoke to Indra, lord of Shachi, his face lit with joy, having found a strategy for victory in that great war.

Verse 28 (skanda.6.70.28)

मया शक्र परिज्ञातः स उपायो महाहवे॥ जीयन्ते शत्रवो येन लीलयैवापि भूरिशः

mayā śakra parijñātaḥ sa upāyo mahāhave jīyante śatravo yena līlayaivāpi bhūriśaḥ

'O Indra, I have discovered that strategy for this great war, by which enemies, even in great numbers, can be conquered with ease.'

Verse 29 (skanda.6.70.29)

यदाभीष्टं वरं तेन प्रार्थितस्त्रिपुरांतकः॥ तदैवं वचनं प्राह प्रणिपत्य मुहुर्मुहुः

yadābhīṣṭaṁ varaṁ tena prārthitastripurāṁtakaḥ tadaivaṁ vacanaṁ prāha praṇipatya muhurmuhuḥ

'When he entreated the destroyer of Tripura for that desired boon, bowing before him again and again, he spoke these very words —'

Verse 30 (skanda.6.70.30)

अजेयः सर्वदेवानां त्वत्प्रसादादहं विभो॥ यथा भवामि संग्रामे त्वां विहाय तथा कुरु

ajeyaḥ sarvadevānāṁ tvatprasādādahaṁ vibho yathā bhavāmi saṁgrāme tvāṁ vihāya tathā kuru

'O lord, by your grace, may I become unconquerable in battle by all the gods, save you alone; grant me this.'

Verse 31 (skanda.6.70.31)

न तं स्वयं महादेवः स्वशिष्यं सूदयिष्यति॥ विषवृक्षमपि स्थाप्य कश्छिनत्ति पुनः स्वयम्

na taṁ svayaṁ mahādevaḥ svaśiṣyaṁ sūdayiṣyati viṣavṛkṣamapi sthāpya kaśchinatti punaḥ svayam

'Mahadeva himself will not slay his own devotee; who, having once planted even a poison tree, would cut it down again with his own hand?'

Verse 32 (skanda.6.70.32)

यो वै पिता स पुत्रः स्याच्छ्रुतिवाक्यमिदं स्मृतम्॥ तस्माज्जनयतु क्षिप्रं हरस्तन्नाशकृत्सुतम्

yo vai pitā sa putraḥ syācchrutivākyamidaṁ smṛtam tasmājjanayatu kṣipraṁ harastannāśakṛtsutam

'He who is the father may become the son — so runs a remembered saying of the scriptures. Therefore, let Hara swiftly beget a son who will bring about that demon's destruction.'

Verse 33 (skanda.6.70.33)

येन सेनाधिपत्ये तं विनियोज्य महाहवम्॥ कुर्मो दैत्यैः समं शस्त्रैः प्राप्नुयाम ततो जयम्

yena senādhipatye taṁ viniyojya mahāhavam kurmo daityaiḥ samaṁ śastraiḥ prāpnuyāma tato jayam

'By appointing him as commander of our forces, we may then wage that great war against the demons with weapons, and thereby attain victory.'

Verse 34 (skanda.6.70.34)

एष एव उपायोऽत्र मया ते परिकीर्तितः॥ विजयाय सहस्राक्ष नान्योऽस्ति भुवनत्रये

eṣa eva upāyo'tra mayā te parikīrtitaḥ vijayāya sahasrākṣa nānyo'sti bhuvanatraye

'This alone, O thousand-eyed one, is the strategy I have declared to you here for victory; there is no other in all three worlds.'

Verse 35 (skanda.6.70.35)

ततो देवगणैः सर्वैः समेतः पाकशासनः॥ तमर्थं प्रोक्तवाञ्छंभुं विनयावनतः स्थितः

tato devagaṇaiḥ sarvaiḥ sametaḥ pākaśāsanaḥ tamarthaṁ proktavāñchaṁbhuṁ vinayāvanataḥ sthitaḥ

Then Indra, accompanied by all the hosts of gods, standing humbly bowed, spoke of this matter to Shambhu.

Verse 36 (skanda.6.70.36)

सुतस्य जननार्थाय कुरु यत्नं वृषध्वज॥ येन सेनाधिपत्ये तं योजयामि दिवौकसाम्

sutasya jananārthāya kuru yatnaṁ vṛṣadhvaja yena senādhipatye taṁ yojayāmi divaukasām

'O bull-bannered one, make effort now toward the begetting of a son, so that I may appoint him as commander of the army of the gods.'

Verse 37 (skanda.6.70.37)

प्राप्नोम्यहं च संग्रामे विजयं त्वत्प्रसादतः॥ निहत्य दानवान्सर्वांस्तारकेण समन्वितान्

prāpnomyahaṁ ca saṁgrāme vijayaṁ tvatprasādataḥ nihatya dānavānsarvāṁstārakeṇa samanvitān

'And by your grace I shall obtain victory in battle, having slain all the demons, Taraka among them.'

Verse 38 (skanda.6.70.38)

नान्यथा विजयो मे स्यात्संग्रामे दानवैः सह॥ इति मां प्राह देवेज्यो ज्ञात्वा सम्यङ्महामतिः

nānyathā vijayo me syātsaṁgrāme dānavaiḥ saha iti māṁ prāha devejyo jñātvā samyaṅmahāmatiḥ

'There is no other way for me to gain victory in war against the demons.' So spoke to me the priest of the gods, that greatly wise one, having understood this fully.

Verse 39 (skanda.6.70.39)

अथोवाच विहस्योच्चैः शंकरस्त्रिदशेश्वरम्॥ करिष्यामि वचः क्षिप्रं तव शक्र न संशयः

athovāca vihasyoccaiḥ śaṁkarastridaśeśvaram kariṣyāmi vacaḥ kṣipraṁ tava śakra na saṁśayaḥ

Then Shankara, laughing loudly, spoke to the lord of the thirty gods: 'I shall swiftly do as you ask, O Indra, without any doubt.'

Verse 40 (skanda.6.70.40)

पुत्रमुत्पादयिष्यामि सर्वदैत्यविनाशकम्॥ यं त्वं सेनापतिं कृत्वा जयं प्राप्स्यसि सर्वदा

putramutpādayiṣyāmi sarvadaityavināśakam yaṁ tvaṁ senāpatiṁ kṛtvā jayaṁ prāpsyasi sarvadā

'I shall beget a son who shall be the destroyer of every demon, and whom you, making him commander of your army, shall find always brings you victory.'

Verse 41 (skanda.6.70.41)

एवमुक्त्वा महादेवो गत्वा कैलास पर्वतम्॥ गौर्या समं ततश्चक्रे कामधर्मं यथोचितम्

evamuktvā mahādevo gatvā kailāsa parvatam gauryā samaṁ tataścakre kāmadharmaṁ yathocitam

Having spoken thus, Mahadeva went to Mount Kailasa and there, together with Gauri, engaged properly in the union of love.

Verse 42 (skanda.6.70.42)

हावैर्भावैः समोपेतं हास्यैरन्यैस्तदात्मिकैः॥ यावद्वर्षसहस्रांतं दिव्यं चैव निमेषवत्

hāvairbhāvaiḥ samopetaṁ hāsyairanyaistadātmikaiḥ yāvadvarṣasahasrāṁtaṁ divyaṁ caiva nimeṣavat

Filled with amorous gestures and playful laughter fitting the occasion, it continued for a full thousand divine years, though it passed as though it were but the blink of an eye.

Verse 43 (skanda.6.70.43)

अथ देवगणाः सर्वे भयसंत्रस्तमानसाः॥ चक्रुर्मंत्रं तदर्थं हि तारकेण प्रपीडिताः

atha devagaṇāḥ sarve bhayasaṁtrastamānasāḥ cakrurmaṁtraṁ tadarthaṁ hi tārakeṇa prapīḍitāḥ

Then all the hosts of gods, their minds seized with terror, oppressed by Taraka, took counsel together on this very matter.

Verse 44 (skanda.6.70.44)

सहस्रं वत्सराणां तु रतासक्तस्य शूलिनः॥ अतिक्रांतं न देवानां तेन कृत्यं विनिर्मितम्

sahasraṁ vatsarāṇāṁ tu ratāsaktasya śūlinaḥ atikrāṁtaṁ na devānāṁ tena kṛtyaṁ vinirmitam

A full thousand years had passed while the trident-bearer remained absorbed in lovemaking, yet still no task had been accomplished for the gods.

Verse 45 (skanda.6.70.45)

तस्माद्गच्छामहे तत्र यत्र देवो महेश्वरः॥ संतिष्ठते समं गौर्या कैलासे विजने स्थितः

tasmādgacchāmahe tatra yatra devo maheśvaraḥ saṁtiṣṭhate samaṁ gauryā kailāse vijane sthitaḥ

'Therefore let us go there, to where the great Lord Maheshvara dwells together with Gauri, in solitude upon Kailasa.'

Verse 46 (skanda.6.70.46)

ततस्तत्रैव संजग्मुः सर्वे देवाः सवासवाः॥ उद्वहन्तः परामार्तिं तारकारिसमुद्भवाम्

tatastatraiva saṁjagmuḥ sarve devāḥ savāsavāḥ udvahantaḥ parāmārtiṁ tārakārisamudbhavām

Then all the gods, together with Indra, went there as one, bearing the utmost distress that had arisen from their enemy Taraka.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.70.47)

अथ कैलासमासाद्य यावद्यांति भवांतिकम्॥ निषिद्धा नंदिना तावन्न गंतव्यमतः परम्

atha kailāsamāsādya yāvadyāṁti bhavāṁtikam niṣiddhā naṁdinā tāvanna gaṁtavyamataḥ param

Then, having reached Kailasa, just as they were about to approach Shiva's presence, Nandi barred their way: 'You may go no further than this.'

Verse 48 (skanda.6.70.48)

रहस्ये भगवान्सार्धं पार्वत्या समवस्थितः॥ अस्माकमपि नो गम्यं तस्मात्तावन्न गम्यताम्

rahasye bhagavānsārdhaṁ pārvatyā samavasthitaḥ asmākamapi no gamyaṁ tasmāttāvanna gamyatām

'The blessed lord is in seclusion together with Parvati; not even we ourselves may go there; therefore you must not go there either.'

Verse 49 (skanda.6.70.49)

ततस्तैर्विबुधैः सर्वैः प्रेषितस्तत्र चानिलः॥ किं करोति महादेवः शीघ्रं विज्ञायतामिति

tatastairvibudhaiḥ sarvaiḥ preṣitastatra cānilaḥ kiṁ karoti mahādevaḥ śīghraṁ vijñāyatāmiti

Then all those gods sent Vayu, the wind-god, there, saying: 'Go and find out quickly what Mahadeva is doing.'

Verse 50 (skanda.6.70.50)

अथ वायुर्गतस्तत्र यत्रास्ते भगवाञ्छिवः॥ गौर्या सह रतासक्त आनन्दं परमं गतः

atha vāyurgatastatra yatrāste bhagavāñchivaḥ gauryā saha ratāsakta ānandaṁ paramaṁ gataḥ

Then Vayu went there, to where the blessed Shiva sat, absorbed in lovemaking with Gauri, immersed in supreme bliss.

Verse 51 (skanda.6.70.51)

अथ प्रचलिते शुक्रे स्थानादप्राप्तयोनिके॥ देवेन वीक्षितो वायुर्नातिदूरे व्यवस्थितः

atha pracalite śukre sthānādaprāptayonike devena vīkṣito vāyurnātidūre vyavasthitaḥ

Just then, as the seed had moved from its place before reaching the womb, the Lord caught sight of Vayu, standing not very far off.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.70.52)

ततो व्रीडा समोपेतस्तत्क्षणादेव चोत्थितः॥ भावासक्तां प्रियां त्यक्त्वा मा मोत्तिष्ठेतिवादिनीम्

tato vrīḍā samopetastatkṣaṇādeva cotthitaḥ bhāvāsaktāṁ priyāṁ tyaktvā mā mottiṣṭhetivādinīm

Then, overcome with shame, he rose up that very instant, leaving his beloved, still lost in passion, who was pleading, 'Do not rise, do not leave me.'

Verse 53 (skanda.6.70.53)

अब्रवीदथ तं वायुं विनयावनतं स्थितम्॥ किमर्थं त्वमिहायातः कच्चित्क्षेमं दिवौकसाम्

abravīdatha taṁ vāyuṁ vinayāvanataṁ sthitam kimarthaṁ tvamihāyātaḥ kaccitkṣemaṁ divaukasām

Then he spoke to Vayu, who stood there humbly bowed: 'For what reason have you come here? I trust all is well with the dwellers of heaven?'

Verse 54 (skanda.6.70.54)

वायुरुवाच॥ एते शक्रादयो देवा नंदिना विनिवारिताः॥ तारकेण हतोत्साहास्तिष्ठंति गिरिरोधसि

vāyuruvāca ete śakrādayo devā naṁdinā vinivāritāḥ tārakeṇa hatotsāhāstiṣṭhaṁti girirodhasi

Vayu said: 'These gods, Indra and the rest, held back by Nandi, their courage broken by Taraka, now stand waiting at the foot of this mountain.'

Verse 55 (skanda.6.70.55)

तस्मादेतान्समाभाष्य समाश्वास्य च सादरम्॥ प्रेषयस्व द्रुतं तत्र यत्र ते दानवाः स्थिताः

tasmādetānsamābhāṣya samāśvāsya ca sādaram preṣayasva drutaṁ tatra yatra te dānavāḥ sthitāḥ

'Therefore, speak with them, comfort them with respect, and send them swiftly to where those demons are stationed.'

Verse 56 (skanda.6.70.56)

अथ तानाह्वयामाम तत्क्षणात्त्रिपुरांतकः॥ संप्राह चविषण्णास्यः कृतांजलिपुटान्स्थितान्

atha tānāhvayāmāma tatkṣaṇāttripurāṁtakaḥ saṁprāha caviṣaṇṇāsyaḥ kṛtāṁjalipuṭānsthitān

Then the destroyer of Tripura summoned them that very instant, and, his face somewhat downcast, spoke to them as they stood there with joined palms.

Verse 57 (skanda.6.70.57)

श्रीभगवानुवाच॥ युष्मत्कृते समारंभः पुत्रार्थं यो मया कृतः॥ स्वस्थानाच्चलिते शुक्रे कृतो मोघोद्य वायुना

śrībhagavānuvāca yuṣmatkṛte samāraṁbhaḥ putrārthaṁ yo mayā kṛtaḥ svasthānāccalite śukre kṛto moghodya vāyunā

The blessed lord said: 'The endeavor I undertook for your sake, to beget a son, has today been rendered fruitless by Vayu, the seed having slipped from its place.'

Verse 58 (skanda.6.70.58)

एतद्वीर्यं मया धैर्यात्स्तंभितं लिंगमध्यगम्॥ अमोघं तिष्ठते सर्वं क्व दधामि निवेद्यताम्

etadvīryaṁ mayā dhairyātstaṁbhitaṁ liṁgamadhyagam amoghaṁ tiṣṭhate sarvaṁ kva dadhāmi nivedyatām

'This seed I have held fast, through steadfastness, contained within the linga; it remains entirely unfailing — tell me where I should place it now.'

Verse 59 (skanda.6.70.59)

येन संजायते पुत्रो दानवांतकरः परः॥ सेनानाथश्च युष्माकं दुर्द्धरः समरे परैः

yena saṁjāyate putro dānavāṁtakaraḥ paraḥ senānāthaśca yuṣmākaṁ durddharaḥ samare paraiḥ

'By which a supreme son may be born, the destroyer of demons and the commander of your armies, unassailable by any enemy in battle.'

Verse 60 (skanda.6.70.60)

एतत्कल्पाग्निसंकाशं धर्तुं शक्नोति नापरः॥ विना वैश्वानरं तस्माद्दधात्वेष सनातनम्

etatkalpāgnisaṁkāśaṁ dhartuṁ śaknoti nāparaḥ vinā vaiśvānaraṁ tasmāddadhātveṣa sanātanam

'No one but Vaishvanara, the eternal fire, can bear this, which resembles the very fire of universal dissolution; therefore, let this eternal one hold it.'

Verse 61 (skanda.6.70.61)

येन तत्र प्रमुञ्चामि सुताय विजयाय च॥ एतद्वीर्यं महातीव्रं द्वादशार्कसमप्रभम्

yena tatra pramuñcāmi sutāya vijayāya ca etadvīryaṁ mahātīvraṁ dvādaśārkasamaprabham

'So that I may then release, for the sake of a son and of victory, this exceedingly fierce seed, radiant as twelve suns together.'

Verse 62 (skanda.6.70.62)

अथ प्राहुः सुराः सर्वे वह्निं संश्लाघ्य सादराः॥ त्वं धारयाग्ने वक्त्रांते वीर्यमेतद्भवोद्भवम्

atha prāhuḥ surāḥ sarve vahniṁ saṁślāghya sādarāḥ tvaṁ dhārayāgne vaktrāṁte vīryametadbhavodbhavam

Then all the gods, praising Agni with reverence, said: 'O Agni, bear this seed, sprung from Shiva, within your very mouth.'

Verse 63 (skanda.6.70.63)

ततः प्रसारयामास स्ववक्त्रं पावको द्रुतम्॥ कुर्वञ्छक्रसमादेशमविकल्पेन चेतसा

tataḥ prasārayāmāsa svavaktraṁ pāvako drutam kurvañchakrasamādeśamavikalpena cetasā

Then Agni swiftly opened wide his own mouth, carrying out Indra's command without the slightest hesitation.

Verse 64 (skanda.6.70.64)

शंकरोऽप्यक्षिपत्तत्र कामबाणप्रपीडितः॥ गौरीं भगवतीं ध्यायन्नानन्दं परमं गतः

śaṁkaro'pyakṣipattatra kāmabāṇaprapīḍitaḥ gaurīṁ bhagavatīṁ dhyāyannānandaṁ paramaṁ gataḥ

And Shankara too, still pierced by the arrows of desire, meditating on the blessed Gauri and immersed in supreme bliss, then cast that seed there.

Verse 65 (skanda.6.70.65)

पावकोऽपि भृशं तेन कल्पाग्निसदृशेन च॥ दह्यमानोऽक्षिपद्भूमौ शरस्तंबे सुविस्तरे

pāvako'pi bhṛśaṁ tena kalpāgnisadṛśena ca dahyamāno'kṣipadbhūmau śarastaṁbe suvistare

Agni too, scorched severely by that seed, which resembled the very fire of dissolution, cast it down upon the ground, into a vast thicket of reeds.

Verse 66 (skanda.6.70.66)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे प्राप्ता भ्रममाणा इतस्ततः॥ भार्यास्तत्र मुनीनां ताः षण्णां षट्कृत्तिकाः शुभाः

etasminnaṁtare prāptā bhramamāṇā itastataḥ bhāryāstatra munīnāṁ tāḥ ṣaṇṇāṁ ṣaṭkṛttikāḥ śubhāḥ

Meanwhile, the six auspicious Krittikas, wives of the sages, wandering here and there, arrived at that very place.

Verse 67 (skanda.6.70.67)

तासां निदेशयामास स्वयमेव शतक्रतुः॥ एतद्बीजं त्रिनेत्रस्य परिपाल्यं प्रयत्नतः

tāsāṁ nideśayāmāsa svayameva śatakratuḥ etadbījaṁ trinetrasya paripālyaṁ prayatnataḥ

To them, Indra himself, the wielder of a hundred sacrifices, gave this command: 'This seed of the three-eyed Lord must be tended with the greatest care.'

Verse 68 (skanda.6.70.68)

अत्र संपत्स्यते पुत्रो द्वादशार्कसमप्रभः॥ भवतीनामपि प्रायः पुत्रत्वं संप्रयास्यति

atra saṁpatsyate putro dvādaśārkasamaprabhaḥ bhavatīnāmapi prāyaḥ putratvaṁ saṁprayāsyati

'Here a son shall be born, radiant as twelve suns; and he shall come, for the most part, to be regarded as your son as well.'